AFCON 2023: Belgian club eye Stanley Nwabali after impressing with Nigeria

Jose Pesiero included Francis Uzoho, Olorunleke Ojo and Stanley Nwabali in his AFCON 25-man squadlist as the goalkeepers that travelled to Ivory Coast with the Nigerian team.

Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali is the subject of interest for a Belgian club after impressing with the Nigerian Football team in Ivory Coast, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nwabali, 27, was a shock inclusion in Jose Peseiro’s first eleven against Equatorial Guinea as the Portuguese tactician opted against starting Francis Uzoho.

Since Nigeria’s opening game in Ivory Coast, Nwabali has made the number-one spot his own, keeping two clean sheets and making big saves to keep things tight at the back.

His impressive performances have caught the eye of Victor Boniface’s former Belgian club side, Union Saint-Gilloise.

According to the Sun Kickoff, the Belgian club have assigned scouts to look out for Nwabali, and have been impressed with his performance so far, as he has kept seven clean sheets in the DsTV Premiership with Chippa United this season.

With Union’s first-choice goalkeeper, Maxime Wensenns linked with a move to Turkey, a transfer for Nwabali might materialize sooner rather than later.

For Chippa United, it is a tricky position, as Nwabali’s sale will aid their finances. Still, the South African club will not be able to sign a replacement for the Nigerian due to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA.

The 1.97m tall goalkeeper isn’t opposed to the move nor flattered by the interest. Left to him, his focus is to do well for the national team.

Nwabali is set to be in goal as Nigeria look to defeat Cameroon en route to winning their fourth AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast.